This evening a Dispatches programme covered in depth the unsavoury 'behind the scenes' goings on with regard to mobile phones and their related
charges.
It just so happens that my mobile phone was not working. It wouldn't connect when I tried at home because it wouldn't connect at Heathrow last night so obviously there was a problem with the system. My assumption was that service had been terminated even though my minimal bill is paid by DD every month. The truth is that my phone is kept in the car - it is very old so don't bother trying to nick it! - and is used on very rare occasions to report progress homeward bound. (When I am parked up - you lawbreakers!!!) It probably hasn't been used for six months hence my assumption that an 'on the ball' computer had decided to disconnect me 'cos I obviously didn't need a phone service.
This is the second time that my phone has failed to work. Naturally on both occasions I needed it!!! The last occasion was when I was on holiday and I needed to make a call for some reason or other.
Tonight I got through to O2 and explained the problem. "Take the SIM card out and wipe it" they said (They said that last time as well). I did that. No difference, still no connection. "Have you another phone you can try?" they asked. "Well actually, yes," I said. "I bought two identical ones with several batteries on Ebay for £10 a year or two ago. I will swap the card." I did. No connection either. "OK," I was told, "you need a new SIM card, ring Customer Services in the morning." (They said that last time as well).
I didn't believe them. There was no reason for the phone to decide to fail. Everything was working perfectly except the local service connection. The situation was identical to last summer on holiday. Strangely, after my call to O2 at that time, service was magically restored. Incredibly - or perhaps not so incredibly - service was restored this time too. My phone works again. No need for a new SIM card. Service is available once more, until the next time and the computer switches me off once more for lack of use!
At least tonight I didn't have to put up with the operator telling me my phone was 'very old' and that I should get a new one. Hey! I want a phone. Just a phone, no more, no less. Give me a signal and this one works! And it has only cost me £10 for a lifetime's supply of spare phones and batteries!
Why can't suppliers admit they have done something wrong and just apologise? Pretending it is something wrong at my end is really irritating.
It just so happens that my mobile phone was not working. It wouldn't connect when I tried at home because it wouldn't connect at Heathrow last night so obviously there was a problem with the system. My assumption was that service had been terminated even though my minimal bill is paid by DD every month. The truth is that my phone is kept in the car - it is very old so don't bother trying to nick it! - and is used on very rare occasions to report progress homeward bound. (When I am parked up - you lawbreakers!!!) It probably hasn't been used for six months hence my assumption that an 'on the ball' computer had decided to disconnect me 'cos I obviously didn't need a phone service.
This is the second time that my phone has failed to work. Naturally on both occasions I needed it!!! The last occasion was when I was on holiday and I needed to make a call for some reason or other.
Tonight I got through to O2 and explained the problem. "Take the SIM card out and wipe it" they said (They said that last time as well). I did that. No difference, still no connection. "Have you another phone you can try?" they asked. "Well actually, yes," I said. "I bought two identical ones with several batteries on Ebay for £10 a year or two ago. I will swap the card." I did. No connection either. "OK," I was told, "you need a new SIM card, ring Customer Services in the morning." (They said that last time as well).
I didn't believe them. There was no reason for the phone to decide to fail. Everything was working perfectly except the local service connection. The situation was identical to last summer on holiday. Strangely, after my call to O2 at that time, service was magically restored. Incredibly - or perhaps not so incredibly - service was restored this time too. My phone works again. No need for a new SIM card. Service is available once more, until the next time and the computer switches me off once more for lack of use!
At least tonight I didn't have to put up with the operator telling me my phone was 'very old' and that I should get a new one. Hey! I want a phone. Just a phone, no more, no less. Give me a signal and this one works! And it has only cost me £10 for a lifetime's supply of spare phones and batteries!
Why can't suppliers admit they have done something wrong and just apologise? Pretending it is something wrong at my end is really irritating.
